Modeling and Characterization of Power Electronic Converters with an Integrated Transmission-Line Filter

In this work, a modeling approach is delineated and described in detail; predominantly done in the time domain from low frequency, DC, to high frequencies, 100 MHz. Commercially available computer aided design tools will be used to determine the propagation path in a given structure. Next, an integrated transmission-line filter – fabricated using planar processing technologies – is modeled to accurately predict the EMI characteristics of the system. A method was derived to model the filter’s performance in the time-domain while accurately depicting the highly frequency dependant transmission-line properties. A system model of a power factor correction (PFC) boost converter was completed by using active device models for diodes, MOSFETs, and the gate driver. In addition, equivalent circuits were used to characterize high frequency impedances of the passive components. A PFC boost converter was built and used to validate the model. The PFC operated at a peak output power of 1 kW, switching at 400 kHz, with a universal input ranging from 90-270 VRMS with unity power factor. The time-domain and EMI frequency spectrum waveforms are experimentally measured and agree very well with the simulated values; within 5 dB for EMI. The transmission-line filter was also manufactured for model verification, and it is tested for the first time with an operating converter: a PFC at 50 W output and 50 VDC input. The small signal characteristics match the model very well. In addition, impedance interactions between the filter, the converter, and the EMI measurement set-up are discussed, evaluated, measured, and improved to minimize undesired resonances and increase low-frequency EMI attenuation. Experimentally measured attenuation provided by the filter in the range from 100 kHz to 100 MHz was 20-50 dBμV. The simulation also shows a similar attenuation, with the exception of one key resonance not seen in the simulation. Andrew C. Baisden ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my greatest thanks to my advisor Dr. Dushan Boroyevich. He has continually guided and pushed me to excel past any barrier through his perpetual questioning. His support, knowledge, confidence, and mentorship are unprecedented and I strive to incessantly learn from him day in and day out. His creative approach has kept my interest and drive at its peak throughout my pursuit for my masters degree. I would also like to thank the rest of my committee members, Dr. Daniel Jacobus van Wyk for his endless knowledge of the subject matter and ability to always find something to improve upon. He helped guide me from day one as if I was his own student and always provided his time for my infinite questions. Dr. van Wyk’s curiosity and problem solving capabilities are among the best and I am honored to have had the privileged to learn and experience them. Dr. Hardus Odendaal’s graduate EMI class furthered my understanding and expanded my capabilities to struggle through this phenomenon. He has been very kind and generous with his time and efforts to assist me during this task. I would also like to thank all of the staff at CPES for their assistance for the ever so important day to day matters. Bob Martin and Dan Huff kept the labs in working order and provided insight to many problems along the way. Marianne Hawthorne, Michelle Czamanske, Trish Rose, Teresa Shaw, and Elizabeth Tranter for their administrative ingenious to get me from one day to the next. None of this could have been possible without the network within CPES; working at CPES has provided the knowledge and experience of nearly a hundred people at my fingertips. I want to express my thanks to all of the CPES students who have helped me along the way, especially, Bryan Charboneau, Tim Thacker, Daniel Ghizoni, Jerry Francis, Qian Liu, Bing Lu, Anish Prasai, Arman Roshan, and David Reusch for their suggestions and friendship whether it be related to this work or not. I would also like to thank Vassilis Siomos, Rory Cantu, Brandon Hoeft, Chad Hudson, and my beautiful girlfriend Kristie Wolfe for their support and friendship throughout our lives. My family has provided me the strength to continue on through their love and support. I want to thank my mother, Theresa Baisden, and father, John Baisden for an endless amount of love, support, and belief in their youngest son. I would also like to extend thanks to my brothers,